Heat exchanger apparatus for hydraulic system

ABSTRACT

An improved heat exchanger apparatus adapted to be removably mounted on a reservoir means and extended through an opening in the wall thereof so as to be disposed in the bath of fluid therein. The heat exchanger apparatus is further characterized by an integral water flow control valve and temperature probe which are uniquely mounted within the module so as to provide a unique modular cooling unit with all of the element thereof packaged within a single removable heat exchanger unit.

United States [191 Raymond 1 May 1, 1973 [s41 HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUSFOR Prim y x m n r-Ch rle suk lo I HYDRAULIC SYSTEM Att0rney--Schmieding& Fultz [75] Inventor: lzliisrt E. Raymond, Zanesville, 1 ABSTRACT [73]Assignee; lntemafionfl Basic Economy Cob An improved heat exchangerapparatus adapted to be porafion, New York, removably mounted on areservoir means and extended through an opening in the wall thereof soas to [22] F'led: 1971 be disposed in the bath of fluid therein. Theheat [21] Appl. No.: 125,527 exchanger apparatus isfurther characterizedby an inv tegral water flow control valve and temperature probe [52] UsCL 165/27 165/39 65/74 which are uniquely mounted within the module soas 51 1m.'c|..111111111111111111111111 .mb 29/00 Pmvide a unique *mdularMing with [58] Field of Search ..165/39, 40, 74 104 the element therePackaged within a single 165/107, 6 ble heat exchanger unit.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 6Drawing Figures 75G 54 2O 62 =E' !l 5! m n l M C l 60 a u..- :ru- I A. 2, I52 I PatentedMay 1, 1973 3,730,260 I 3 Sheds-Sheet 1 6 498 -62 2 III.\\\\\\\\\\ i 'fflio no Ll I INVENTOR 31 ROBERTERAYMOND' I62 jWJuZ 18 104 N6 54 ATTO 5Y3Patented May 1, 1973 3,730,260

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR.

ROBERT E. A 14 YMOND A T ORA/5Y5 Patented May 1, 1973 7 3,730,260

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 (:9 (:7 INVENTOR.

ROBERT 5 RA mo/va v A ORNEYS I HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULICSYSTEM This invention relates to heat exchangers for the reservoirs ofhydraulic systems.

In general, the novel heat exchanger apparatus of the present inventioncomprises an adapter housing means arranged to adapt an assembly to bemounted directly on the wall of a fluid reservoir for a hydraulicsystem, and a heat exchanger housing means which is mounted on saidadapter housing means and extended through an opening in the wall of thereservoir and into the bath of fluid therein.

The novel heat exchanger apparatus if further characterized by a waterflow control valve and a temperature probe both of which are mountedwithin the above mentioned adapter housing means so as to provide aunique modular cooling unit with all of the element thereof packagedinto a single module.

As another aspect of the present invention, since the water controlvalve, temperature sensing probe, and passages leading from the adapterhousing means to the warmer and colder paths are all provided within themodule, substantially all external lines and heat exchanger componentsare eliminated.

As another aspect of the present invention, all con nections between theheat exchanger and the hydraulic system are provided within thereservoir.

As still another aspect of the present invention, when it is necessaryto provide the novel heat exchanger apparatus with relief valve action,a relief valve may be readily incorporated in a modular valve assemblyand the connection between the heat exchanger and the system is madeinside the reservoir.

As still another aspect of the present invention, the novel heatexchanger apparatus is adapted to utilize a novel adapter housing, whichhousing is sandwiched between the main housing portion and the removablecap of conventional heat exchangers known to the art so as to adapt suchstandard heat exchangers for subplate mounting on a conventionalreservoir with the heat exchanger path assembly being extended into thebath of the reservoir. This results in an inexpensive and compactassembly and also serves to eliminate the need for external pipingconventionally used with standard heat exchangers.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novelheat exchanger apparatus which is adapted to be removably mounted on areservoir for a hydraulic system such that the heat exchanger isextended into the bath of the reservoir and connection between theexchanger and the hydraulic system are made within the reservoir.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel heatexchanger apparatus wherein the water valve and temperature probe areall packaged within a single modular cooling unit at low cost and withminimum space utilization.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a heatexchanger apparatus wherein a novel adapter housing means is providedwith an integral water control valve and temperature sensing means, andadapted to be sandwiched between the main body portion and cap portionof a standard heat exchanger.

This provides an apparatus wherein the warmer and colder heat exchangepaths, as well as the control elements for the flow therethrough, arecombined in a removable modular cooling unit.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein preferred forms of embodiments of the invention areclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a reservoir for a hydraulic systemwith a heat exchanger apparatus constructed in accordance with thepresent invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top sectional view of an adapter housing means comprising aportion of the heat exchanger apparatus of FIG. 1, the section beingtaken along the horizontal plane line 2-2 through said adapter housingmeans;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in section, of aheat exchanger apparatus of the present invention, the section beingtaken along a vertical plane line 3-3 through the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the adapter housing means of FIGS.2 and 3 in isolated relationship; and

FIGS. 5 a nd 6 are top and side elevational views of a i it base platecomprising a portion of the heat exchanger apparatus of the presentinvention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, a heat exchanger apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention is indicatedgenerally at 40 and is shown mounted on the top wall of a reservoir,indicated generally at 20, which also includes side walls 22 and 24 anda bottom wall 26. A modular hydraulic system, indicated generally at 32,is also mounted on the reservoir top wall.

As seen in FIG. 1, pressurized inlet conduit 30 and inlet port 28 areconnected with the outlet of a hydraulic pump for the system, notillustrated, with conduit 30 leading to a modular hydraulic controlvalve assembly which may be in the form of a modular system shown anddescribed in detail in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 852,231 filedAug. 22, 1969.

It should be mentioned that fluid from the system is supplied fromreservoir 20 to the suction side of the hydraulic pump from a reservoiroutlet port and outlet conduit, not illustrated.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 3, the heat exchanger apparatus 40comprises a main heat exchanger housing portion 76 and a cap portion 42between which housing portions is sandwiched an adapter housing means50, the construction of which is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Adapter housing means 50 comprises a control valve bore 122 in which ismounted a normally closed spool 102 which controls the inlet flow ofwater from an inlet port 116 connected with a source of pressurizedwater or other coolant.

Spool 102 is normally biased to the left, as seen in FIG. 2, by acompression spring 108 mounted in a spring retainer cap 110 and thespool is shifted to the left via the application of control fluidpressure in a control chamber wherein the control fluid acts on a sealeddiaphragm 112 which shifts spool rod 114 to the right upon an increaseof fluid pressure and compression spring 108 returns the spool to theleft upon a decrease in fluid pressure in chamber 190.

It should be mentioned that spool 102 is mounted in a spool housing 54which is secured to the main adapter housing portion by the studs 182.Also, it is seen in FIG. 2 that the lands of spool 102 are provided withO-ring seals 104 and 106.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, adapter housing means 50 furtherincludes a probe bore 58 which receives a flow of system oil via inletand outlet ports 198 and 196 and a temperature sensing probe 66 ismounted in the bore at the threaded fittings 62 with the interior of theprobe being filled with a control fluid that expands and contracts withthe change of temperature of the oil flowing through probe bore 58.

As is further seen in FIG. 2, the control chamber 190 for spool 102 isconnected to the interior of probe 66 by a control fluid linediagrammatically illustrated at 70.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the flow of water to the colder heatexchanger paths 80 and 82 enters adapter housing means 50 at inlet port116 and then passes through open spool 102, horizontal passage 96,vertical passages 72, opening 88 in a base plate 84 and thencedownwardly through the colder paths formed by water tubes 80. The waterthen changes direction at the base cap of housing 76 and flows upwardlyvia water tubes 82, opening 86 in base plate 84, the common passages 74in the adapter housing means, and then outwardly through water outletport 172 in cap 42.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3, the flow of oil from the pumpwhich enters the modular control system 32 is delivered therefrom via aconduit 34, within reservoir 22 and thence to oil inlet port 198 throughthe probe bore 58 in contact with the probe, outwardly from outlet port196 and then through conduit 156 to an inlet 193 for the warmer paths195 in the heat exchanger main housing portion 76. The oil then passesin heat exchange relationship with the colder paths formed by the watertubes 82 thence outwardly through exchanger oil outlet port 198 and intothe bath within the reservoir.

In operation, it should be pointed out that the heat exchanger apparatusof the present invention is mounted on a reservoir 22 by inserting themain housing portion 76 through an opening 36 with an interface 152 onthe bottom of adapter housing means 50 overlaying a mounting shoulder154 surrounding hole 36. THe adapter housing means 50 is then secured inplace by threaded studs which are inserted into holes 176, FIG. 4, andtightened into threaded engagement with holes in the top wall ofreservoir 22.

With continued reference to the operation of the device, oil iscontinuously admitted through the probe bore 58 and warmer paths 195during operation of the control system 32 and associated pump and motor.

When probe 66 senses a predetermined temperature value, at which coolingof the oil is required, the control fluid within probe 66 and controlchamber 190 expands thereby shifting water control valve 102 to theright whereby it admits water to and through the cooling paths 80 in themanner previously described.

When the flow of oil is sufficiently cooled and the l. A heat exchangerfor the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising, in combination,adapter housing means including a wall forming an interface, a valvemounting bore, a probe mounting bore, a colder fluid passage meanscommunicating with said valve mounting bore and a warmer fluid passagemeans communicating with said probe mounting bore; heat exchangerhousing means including an interface mounted on said interface of saidadapter housing means, a first heat exchanger passage in said heatexchanger housing means and forming a warmer path communicating withsaid warmer fluid passage means, and a second heat exchanger passage insaid heat exchanger housing means and forming a colder pathcommunicating with said colder fluid passage means; valve means mountedin said valve mounting bore for controlling the flow of colder fluidthrough said colder fluid passage means; a temperature sensing probemounted in said probe mounting bore; and means for shifting said valvemeans responsive to variations in the temperature sensed by said probe.

2. A heat exchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising,in combination, reservoir means including a reservoir wall provided withan opening and a peripheral mounting surface; adapter housing meansmounted on said mounting surface and including a wall forming aninterface, a valve mounting bore, a probe mounting bore, a colder fluidpassage means communicating with said valve mounting bore and a warmerfluid passage means communicating with said probe mounting bore; heatexchanger housing means including an interface mounted on said interfaceof said adapter housing means, and an inner housing portion extendedthrough said reservoir wall opening and into a bath of warmer fluid insaid reservoir, a first heat exchanger passage in said heat exchangerhousing means and forming a warmer path communicating with said warmerfluid passage means, and a second heat exchanger passage in said heatexchanger housing means and forming a colder path communicating withsaid colder fluid passage means; valve means mounted in said valvemounting bore for controlling the flow of colder fluid through saidcolder fluid passage means; a temperature sensing probe mounted in saidprobe mounting bore; and means for shifting said valve means responsiveto variations in the temperature sensed by said probe.

3. A heat exchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising,in combination, heat exchanger housing means including a main housingportion provided with a first heat exchanger interface and a cap portionprovided with a second heat exchanger interface, said cap portionforming connecting passage means for warmer and colder heat exchangerpassages through said main housing portion; adapter housing meanssandwiched between said heat exchanger housing portions and includingfirst and second adapter interfaces that engage said heat exchangerinterfaces, adapter passage means that connect said connecting passagemeans of said cap portion with said heat exchanger passages a valvemounting bore communicating with the flow through one of said heatexchanger means and a probe mounting bore communicating with the flowthrough the other of said heat exchanger passages valve means mounted insaid valve mounting bore for controlling the flow there through; atemperature sensing probe mounted in said probe mounting bore; and meansfor shifting said valve means responsive to variations in thetemperature sensed by said probe.

4. A heat exchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising,in combination, reservoir means in cluding a reservoir wall providedwith an opening and a peripheral mounting surface; heat exchangerhousing means including a main housing portion extended through saidopening in said reservoir and provided with a first heat exchangerinterface and a cap portion provided with a second heat exchangerinterface, said cap portion forming connecting passage means for warmerand colder heat exchanger passages through said main housing portion;adapter housing means mounted on said peripheral mounting surface ofsaid reservoir and sandwiched between said heat exchanger housingportions and including first and second adapter interfaces that engagesaid heat exchanger interfaces, adapter passage means that engage saidheat exchanger interfaces, adapter passage means that connect saidconnecting passage means of said cap portion with said heat exchangerpassages a valve mounting bore communicating with the flow through oneof said heat exchanger passages and a probe mounting bore communicatingwith the flow through the other of said heat exchanger passages andvalve means mounted in said valve mounting bore for controlling the flowtherethrough.

5. A heat exchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising,in combination, adapter housing means including a wall forming aninterface, a valve mounting bore, a colder fluid passage meanscommunicating with said valve mountingtbore and a warmer fluid passagemeans; heat exchanger housing means including an interface mounted onsaid interface of said adapter housing means, a first heat exchangerpassage in said heat exchanger housing means and forming a warmer pathcommunicating with said warmer fluid passage means, and a second heatexchanger passage in said heat exchanger housing means and forming acolder path communicating with said colder fluid passage means; valvemeans mounted in said valve mounting bore for controlling the flow ofcolder fluid through said colder fluid passage :means; a temperatureprobe exposed to a flow of fluid in said system; and means for shiftingsaid valve means responsive to variations in the temperature sensed bysaid probe.

6. A heat exchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising,in combination, heat exchanger housing means including a main housingportion provided with a first heat exchanger interface and a cap portionprovided with a second lheat exchanger interface, said cap portionforming connecting passage means for warmer and colder heat exchangerpassages through said main housing portion; adapter housing meanssandwiched between said heat exchanger housing portions and includingfirst and second adapter interfaces that engage said heat exchangerinterfaces, adapter passage means that connect said connecting passagemeans of said cap portion with said heat exchanger passages and a valvemounting bore communicating with the flow through one of said heatexchanger passages valve means mounted in said valve mounting bore forcontrolling the flow therethrough; a temperature probe exposed to a flowof fluid in said system; and means for shifting said valve meansresponsive to variations in the temperature sensed by said probe.

1. A heat exchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising,in combination, adapter housing means including a wall forming aninterface, a valve mounting bore, a probe mounting bore, a colder fluidpassage means communicating with said valve mounting bore and a warmerfluid passage means communicating with said probe mounting bore; heatexchanger housing means including an interface mounted on said interfaceof said adapter housing means, a first heat exchanger passage in saidheat exchanger housing means and forming a warmer path communicatingwith said warmer fluid passage means, and a second heat exchangerpassage in said heat exchanger housing means and forming a colder pathcommunicating with said colder fluid passage means; valve means mountedin said valve mounting bore for controlling the flow of colder fluidthrough said colder fluid passage means; a temperature sensing probemounted in said probe mounting bore; and means for shifting said valvemeans responsive to variations in the temperature sensed by said probe.2. A heat exchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising,in combination, reservoir means including a reservoir wall provided withan opening and a peripheral mounting surface; adapter housing meansmounted on said mounting surface and including a wall forming aninterface, a valve mounting bore, a probe mounting bore, a colder fluidpassage means Communicating with said valve mounting bore and a warmerfluid passage means communicating with said probe mounting bore; heatexchanger housing means including an interface mounted on said interfaceof said adapter housing means, and an inner housing portion extendedthrough said reservoir wall opening and into a bath of warmer fluid insaid reservoir, a first heat exchanger passage in said heat exchangerhousing means and forming a warmer path communicating with said warmerfluid passage means, and a second heat exchanger passage in said heatexchanger housing means and forming a colder path communicating withsaid colder fluid passage means; valve means mounted in said valvemounting bore for controlling the flow of colder fluid through saidcolder fluid passage means; a temperature sensing probe mounted in saidprobe mounting bore; and means for shifting said valve means responsiveto variations in the temperature sensed by said probe.
 3. A heatexchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising, incombination, heat exchanger housing means including a main housingportion provided with a first heat exchanger interface and a cap portionprovided with a second heat exchanger interface, said cap portionforming connecting passage means for warmer and colder heat exchangerpassages through said main housing portion; adapter housing meanssandwiched between said heat exchanger housing portions and includingfirst and second adapter interfaces that engage said heat exchangerinterfaces, adapter passage means that connect said connecting passagemeans of said cap portion with said heat exchanger passages , a valvemounting bore communicating with the flow through one of said heatexchanger means , and a probe mounting bore communicating with the flowthrough the other of said heat exchanger passages ; valve means mountedin said valve mounting bore for controlling the flow there through; atemperature sensing probe mounted in said probe mounting bore; and meansfor shifting said valve means responsive to variations in thetemperature sensed by said probe.
 4. A heat exchanger for the reservoirof a hydraulic system comprising, in combination, reservoir meansincluding a reservoir wall provided with an opening and a peripheralmounting surface; heat exchanger housing means including a main housingportion extended through said opening in said reservoir and providedwith a first heat exchanger interface and a cap portion provided with asecond heat exchanger interface, said cap portion forming connectingpassage means for warmer and colder heat exchanger passages through saidmain housing portion; adapter housing means mounted on said peripheralmounting surface of said reservoir and sandwiched between said heatexchanger housing portions and including first and second adapterinterfaces that engage said heat exchanger interfaces, adapter passagemeans that engage said heat exchanger interfaces, adapter passage meansthat connect said connecting passage means of said cap portion with saidheat exchanger passages , a valve mounting bore communicating with theflow through one of said heat exchanger passages , and a probe mountingbore communicating with the flow through the other of said heatexchanger passages ; and valve means mounted in said valve mounting borefor controlling the flow therethrough.
 5. A heat exchanger for thereservoir of a hydraulic system comprising, in combination, adapterhousing means including a wall forming an interface, a valve mountingbore, a colder fluid passage means communicating with said valvemounting bore and a warmer fluid passage means; heat exchanger housingmeans including an interface mounted on said interface of said adapterhousing means, a first heat exchanger passage in said heat exchangerhousing means and forming a warmer path communicating with said warmerfluid passage means, and a second heat exchanger passage in said heatexchanger housing means and forming a colder path communicating withsaid colder fluid paSsage means; valve means mounted in said valvemounting bore for controlling the flow of colder fluid through saidcolder fluid passage means; a temperature probe exposed to a flow offluid in said system; and means for shifting said valve means responsiveto variations in the temperature sensed by said probe.
 6. A heatexchanger for the reservoir of a hydraulic system comprising, incombination, heat exchanger housing means including a main housingportion provided with a first heat exchanger interface and a cap portionprovided with a second heat exchanger interface, said cap portionforming connecting passage means for warmer and colder heat exchangerpassages through said main housing portion; adapter housing meanssandwiched between said heat exchanger housing portions and includingfirst and second adapter interfaces that engage said heat exchangerinterfaces, adapter passage means that connect said connecting passagemeans of said cap portion with said heat exchanger passages , and avalve mounting bore communicating with the flow through one of said heatexchanger passages ; valve means mounted in said valve mounting bore forcontrolling the flow therethrough; a temperature probe exposed to a flowof fluid in said system; and means for shifting said valve meansresponsive to variations in the temperature sensed by said probe.